Adjustable price setting mechanism for a vending machine



United States Patent [72] Inventor FranelsA.Wlttern Des Moinea, Iowa [2iAppl. No 738,015

[22] Filed June I8, 1968 [45] Patented Dec. 8, 1970 l 7 3 Assignee FawnEngineering Company Des Moines, Iowa a corporation of Iowa [54]ADJUSTABLE PRICE SETTING MECHANISM FOR A VENDING MACHINE 3 CIIIIII, 17Drawing Figs.

s2 u.s. CI. 194 2, 194/48 5| rm..................................co7r11/00, [50] Field oISeareh 74/568;194/48. 57. .02. 2

[56} References Clted UNITED STATES PATENTS 239L867 6/l96l Schullerl94/(.02)UX 3.139.]67 5/1964 Wittern Primary Examiner- Robert B. ReevesAssistant ExaminerDavid A. Scherbel Atmmey- Rudolph L Lowell ABSTRACT:The price setting mechanism includes a coin operated means whichproduces information indicative of the value of coins inserted therein.An adjustable linkage means responsive to the information produced bythe coin operated means is operably associated with high and low pricedarticle vending members of the vending machine, to selectively lock suchvending members in a nonvending position in accordance with the value ofthe coins received by the coin operated means. The machine thusfunctions to separately vend either a high or a low priced article. Thelinkage means is adjustable relative to a coin information cam unit ofthe coin operated means to regulate the monetary difference between theiow and the high priced article. The cam unit in turn is adjustable tovary, between predetermined limits, the price range of the low and highpriced articles. The price limits of the articles are thus determined bythe adjustment of the cam unit and the monetary difference between thehigh and low priced articles. within such price limits. is determined bythe adjustment of the linkage means.

PATENIED nu: 8 I970 SHEEI 1 [1F 5 PATENTEDBEB 81978 3545586 SHEET 3 [IF5 ADJUSTABLE PRICE SETTING MECHANISM FOR A VENDING MACHINE BACKGROUND OFTH E INVENTION This invention is an improvement on the price settingmechanism for a vending machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,139,167.The vending machine of U.S. Pat. No. 3,139,167 is of limited applicationto the vending of high and low priced articles within a relativelynarrow price range, and is capable of varying prices only within suchnarrow range. The present invention embodies the coin operated means andlinkage means of U.S. Pat. No. 3,139,167 in the same operative relationdisclosed therein. The improvement consists in providing for a wideprice range in the articles to be vended and the regulation of themonetary difference between high and low priced articles, as taught byU.S. Pat. No. 3,139,167, within a preselected portion of the wide pricerange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a price settingmechanism for a vending machine which is of a simple and compactconstruction and capable of being readily adjusted to set a pricedifferential between low and high priced artichs, over a wise pricerange. The price of the articles may 1:: varied over a price range of upto $1.50, with the price differential between the high and low pricedarticles being variable within a preselected 25-cents portion of suchprice range. The means for adjusting the prices are readily accessiblewithin the machine so that adjustments can be made in a minimum of timeby the lessee or owner of the vending machine. As a result the machineis readily adapted to the vending of high and low priced articles withinZS-cent increments from a minimum low priced article of -cents up to amaximum high priced article of$ l .50.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Further objects, features andadvantages of this invention will become apparent from the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an article vending machine thatincorporates the price setting mechanism of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the control linkage, taken on line4-4 of FIG. I, for regulating the price differential between high andlow priced articles to be vended;

FIG. Sis a side elevational view of a part of the control linkage asseen along the line 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is illustrated similarly to FIGv 5 and shows the parts thereof inchanged positions;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the control linkage, illus tratcdsimilarly to FIG. 4, showing the relation of the locking parts prior tothe vending ofa low priced article FIG. 8 is illustrated similar to FIG.4 and shows the relation of the locking parts in the vending ofa lowpriced article;

FIG. 9 is illustrated similar to FIG. 4 and shows the position of thecoin information cam unit relative to the lever control rods when a highpriced article is to be vended;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the slotted guide bracket for the leverholding rods of the control linkage;

FIG. 11 is illustrated to FIG. 4 and shows the relation of the lockingparts of the control linkage after a vending operation has beencompleted;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view ofthe coin information cam unitwhich forms part of the coin operated means of the vending machine, andwhich is adjustable to regulate the price range within which the low andhigh priced articles are to be vended;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged front elevational view of the cam unit of FIG. 12with some parts broken away and other parts shown in section to moreclearly show its construction;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 15-15ofFlg.14;

FIG. 16 is illustrated similarly to FIG. 14 and shows parts of the camunit in changed positions; and

Flg. 17 is a front elevational view of a part of the cam unit showingthe indicia for indicating a predetermined price range.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown an articlevending machine 20 that incorporates the linkage me: ns 21 and coinoperated mechanism 22, of U.S. Pat. No. 3,139,167, and wherein thelinkage means 21 is adjustable relative to the coin operated mechanism22 to regulate the monetary difference between the low and high pricedarticles to be vended. This machine 20 has a frame which includes a pairof horizontally spaced vertical sideplates 23 and 24. A channelshapedmember 26 is extended between and secured to the sideplates with the web27 thereof positioned horizontally between the side plates. A frontflange 28 of the channel member 26 projects downwardly and is formedwith a plurali ty of horizontally spaced openings 29 corresponding tothe number of separate articles to be vended. As shown in FIG. 3, theweb 27 is provided with laterally extended slots 31 each of which is inalinement with a corresponding one of the openings 29 of the flange 28.

A series of upright article storing guides or chutes 32 (FIGS. I and 2)disposed over the rear portion of the channel member 26 are secured tothe frame sideplates 23 and 24 and correspond in number to the number ofseparate articles 34 to be vended (FIG. 2). The lower end of each chute32 is disposed above a slot 31 and is formed in its rear wall with anopening 33 through which articles 34 are dispensed.

The articles 34 (FIGS. I and 2) are pushed from the lower ends of thechutes 32 and through the openings 33 by associated parallel vendingmembers or pull rods 36 and 37 that are slidably supported in thechannel-shaped member 26 with their forward ends extended through acorresponding opening 29 in the channel member from leg 28. When a rod36 is operated a low priced article is vended and when the rod 37 isoperated a high priced article is vended. The rod 37 is positioncd belowthe channel member web 27 and has an upwardly extended T-shapeprojection 38 at its rear end (FIGS. 2 and 3) which projects through theslot 31 with the lower surface of the cross arm portion thereofengageable with the upper surface of the web 27. The projection 38 thusguides the rod 37 for reciprocal movement longitudinally of the slot 31.

A pivoted pawl 39 is associated with each rod 36 and 37 to control theoperation thereof relative to a loaded or unloaded condition of acorresponding article holding chute 32. Thus, as shown for the rod 37 inFIG. 2 the pawl 39 is pivoted to the projection 38 by a pin 41 whichextends normal to the longitudinal direction of the slot 31. The frontarm 42 of the pawl 39 is substantially heavier than the rear arm 43.Thus, when the rod 37 is in its rearrnost moved or normal in" position,and the chute 32 corresponding thereto is empty, the front arm 42 istiltable downwardly into engagement with a stop 44 on the channel memberweb 27. The rod 37 is thus locked in its normal in' position againstforward movement when the chute 32 does not contain articles to bedispensed.

When an article 34 is in the chute 32 the pawl 39 is pivoted by theweight of the article 34 to a substantially horizontal position out ofengagement with the stop 44. The rod 37 is thus permitted to be movedforwardly to its out position. When the rod 37 is pulled by the customerto the out" position the pawl 39 is moved forwardly out from under thearticle 34 and pivots in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG.2, to engage the front arm 42 with the stop 44 and to raise the rear arm43. Concurrently with the movement of the pawl 39 from beneath thelowermost article 34, such article drops to the bottom of the chute 32in a supported position on the channel member web 27. On a returnrearward mover ,n of the rod to the in position, the rear end of the arm43 engages the front part of the lowermost article 34 and forces thearticle rearwardly in the direction of the arrow A. through the opening33, and into a receiving passage 46 where it can be retrieved by thecustomer.

The rods 36 and 37 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) are biased to the in position by ahorizontal bar 47 which is slidably mounted in horizontal slots 48 and49 formed in the sideplates 23 and 24. respectively. The rear edge ofthe bar 47 is engageable with a downward projection 51 (FIG. 2) at therear end of each of the rods 36 and 37. A pair of transversely spacedupwardly and rearwardly extended arms 52 and 53 (FIGS. 1 and 2) arepivotally mounted below the bar 47 to the sideplates 23 and 24 by meansof pins 54 and 56, respectively.

The upper end of each arm is provided with a yoke 57 for receiving thebar 47 so that on rotation of the arms 52 and 53 about the pins 54 and56 the bar 47 is moved in a horizontal plane parallel to the axis ofrotation of the arms. A pair of torsion springs 58 and 59 associatedwith the pins 54 and 56 urge the arms 52 and 53 in a rearward directionor clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, flat T-shaped keys 61 are pivotally mountedon a vertical axis from the lower side of the web 27 of the channelmember 26 by rivets 62. A single key 61 is horizontally positionedbetween adjacent pull rods 36 and 37 so that cam surfaces 60 on the rearsides of the heads of adjacent keys are engageable with a vertical face63 of a step formed on the body member ofa rod 36 or 37. Thus, the headsof adjacent keys 61 abut each other and are engageable with the face 63of a common rod 36 or 37. The heads of the out side keys 61 abut thesideplates 23 and 24 so as to limit the pivotal movement of the keys inresponse to the outward movement of one of the rods 36 and 37. The widthof the head of a key 61 coupled with the limited pivotal movement of thekeys enables the keys 61 to lock all of the rods, except one, in the"in" position. in other words, when a rod 36 or 37 is pulled forwardlyto the out" position, the keys 61 to each side of the pulled rod arepivoted to lock all of the remaining rods in the "in" position. Thislocking function of the keys 61 prevents the concurrent movement of morethan one of the rods to an "out" position.

The selective movement of the rods 36 and 37 to their "out" position iscontrolled by the locking linkage 21 which it released by the coinoperated mechanism 22 (FIGS. 1 and 4). The mechanism 22 responds to oneor more coin denominations to produce position information on a cam unit64 which is a function of the monetary sum of the coins supplied to themechanism. In other words, for example, if a quarter is inserted intothe mechanism the cam unit will be rotated to a position correspondingto low price information. The addition ofa nickel will produce a rotatedposition of the cam unit corresponding to high price information. Asuitable coin operated mechanism 22 is manufactured under the name ofSCS Accumulator or Totalizer by the National Register Company, of St.Louis, M0.

The mechanism 22 includes a coin receiving chute 66, a position outputcam unit 64 of this invention, and a reset trip lever 67 (FIG. 1). Theangular rotated position of the cam unit 64 relative to its normal restor home position is a function of the monetary sum of the coins insertedinto the coin receiving chute 66. Thus, on the placement of coins in thechute 66 the cam unit 64 is rotated from its home position to a movedposition depending upon the monetary value of the coins. In theTotalizer available from the National Register Company the shaft whichsupports the cam unit 64 is moved in equal angular increments for eachS-cent value. Actuation of the trip lever 67 permits the cam unit 64 torotate back to its initial or home position.

The cam unit 64 releases a first lever means 71 (FIG. 4) and a secondlever means 72 to control the separate vending operation of the machine.The first lever 71 is pivoted at its forward end to the sideplate 24 bya pine 73 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The rear section74 of the first lever means 71 is of a reduced width to form a lockingabutment 76 for engaging the forward side of the bar 47 to limit itsoutward movement in the slots 48 and 49. The lever rear sec tion 74 hasa downwardly and rearwardly extended cam surface 77 spacedlongitudinally rearwardly from the abutment 76 and terminating in asubstantially horizontal surface 75.

The cam surface 77 is engageable with the rear edge of the bar 47 toraise the lever 71 to an inoperative position when the bar 47 is in thein position.

A tension spring 78 is secured to the lever rear section 74 and thesideplate 24 to bias the lever 71 into engagement with the bar 47. Anupright lever holding rod 79 pivoted at its lower end to the lever 71 bymeans of a bolt 81, is provided with a laterally extended finger 80 thatis engageable with the coin information cam unit 64. The finger 80 isguidably received within a selected one of a series of upright slots 82of a guide bracket 83 that is mounted on the sideplate 24. The distancebetween the outer ones of the slots 82 determines the amount of arcuatemovement of the coin information cam unit 64 that is necessary tocontrol the locking linkage 21. The finger 80 can be placed in differentslots 82 in accordance with the desired indexed price differentials.

The second lever means 72 is pivotally mounted at its rear end on thesideplate 24 by means ofa pin 84 for rotation about a horizontal axis(FIG. 4). The lever 72 has a first arm 86 extended forwardly from thepivot 84 and a second arm 87 is inclined upwardly and forwardly relativeto the first arm. The front end of the second arm 87 terminates in anupwardly directed finger 88 having at its upper end an inwardly extendedhorizontal projection 89 (FIGS. 1 and 4). the purpose of which will bedescribed hereinafter. Forwardly of the junction of the arms 86 and 87,the underside of the lever 71 is formed with a recess to provide anupwardly and rearwardly inclined cam surface 91 (FIG. 4) and adownwardly and rearwardly sloped cam surface 92 which terminates in arearwardly extended flat surface 93. When the bar 47 is biased in thein" position the lever 72 is moved to a raised position by the action ofthe rearward edge of the bar 47 on the surface 92 and is held in theraised position by the flat surface 93. A ten sion spring 94interconnects the front terminal portion of the arm 86 with the sideplate 24 to bias the lever 72 in a downward direction.

An upright lever holding rod 96 (FIG. 4) is pivotally connected at 97 tothe arm 87 of the lever 72. The upper end of the rod 96 terminates in ahorizontal finger 98 receivable in a slot 82 of the bracket 83 forengagement with that portion of the coin information cam unit 64 whichrepresents high price information. The finger 80 of the rod 79 extendsthrough a slot 82 located rearwardly of the slot 82 for the finger 98and is engageable with that portion of the cam unit 64 which representlow price information.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a bar 99 extends horizontally across theforward upper edge of the channel-shaped member 26 and is pivoted intriangular-shaped openings 101 and 102 in the sideplates 23 and 24,respectively, (FIGS. 4 and 5) for pivotal movement about its rear edge.An upwardly extended arm 103 (FIG. 4) is secured to the upper surface ofthe bar 99 adjacent the finger 88 of the lever 72. The arm 103 has anotch 104 in its rear side for receiving the projection 89 on the finger88 of the lever 72. The projection 89 extends through a square opening106 in the sideplate 24 and moves into and out of engagement with thearm 103 in response to the pivotal movement of the lever 72. The camsurfaces 91 and 92 when engaged by the edges of the bar 47 determine thepivotal movement of the lever 72. The locking action between the arm 103and the lever 72 is carried forward to the rod 96 by the use of anangular tab 107 (FIGS. 2 and 4) secured to the upper surface of the bar99 by means of a screw 108. The angular tab 107 can be selectivelypositioned adjacent the rods 36 and 37 by moving the screw 108 intoanother threaded hole in the bar 99 to provide the various stations ofthe vending machine with a high price pull rod or vending member.

The angular position of the bar (FIGS. 1 and 5 j is controlled by arearwardly and upwardly extended arm 109 that has a rearwardly anddownwardly projected leg 112 and a forwardly located projection 113. Theprojection 113 lies adjacent the lower surface of an end of the bar 99and is secured thereto by means of a bolt 114. A tab 116 is secured bythe bolt 114 to the bar 99. A tension spring 117 is interconnectedbetween the tab 116 and the plate 23 and functions to pivot the bar 99upwardly about its rear edge. The terminal portion of the leg 112engages the bar 47 and holds the bar 99 in a horizontal position whenthe plate 47 is in the "in" position.

In order to prevent the reverse operation of the control linkage 21 ofthe vending machine there is provided a reversible one-way positivebrake 115 which prevents reverse motion of the rods during theiroperation between the "in" and out" positions. In other words, theselected rod 36 and 37 must be moved to the out position before it canbe moved back to the in position thereby preventing the vending of morethan one article.

As shown in FIG. 4, the brake 115 includes an upright slideplate 118formed with a longitudinally extended slot 119. The forward top side ofthe slideplate has a rack 121 and the forward bottom side of the slidemember is formed with a fork or yoke 122. The slideplate 118 is slidablymounted for horizontal movement on the side member 24 by means of aguide bracket 123 and a pin 124 extended through the slot 119. The yoke122 receives the bar 47 in a driving relation therewith. A pawl 126pivotally mounted on the frame sideplate 24 is operatively associatedwith the rack 121 to engage the rack when the bar 47 is moved from thein" position to the out position so as to prevent a reversed movement ofthe pull rods 36 and 37 between such positions.

A spring 127 connected to a projection 128 on the pawl 126 yieldablyholds the pawl in a perpendicular relation with the rack 121 when thepawl is moved out of engagement with the rack. With the bar 47 in theout position the pawl 126 enters a recess 129 formed in the slide plate118 rearwardly of the rack 121. This action of the pawl 126 provides forthe movement of the rack 121 and the bar 47 from the out position backto the in" position, and prevents movement of the bar 47 back to the"out" position after movement to the "in position has been initiated.

As shown in FIG. 4 the coordination of the "in" and out movement of thepull rods 36 and 37 with the resetting of the coin operated mechanism 22is accomplished by a pair of levers 131 and 132 operatively connected tothe slideplate 118 so that when the slide is moved to the out" positionthe lever 132 will trigger the trip finger 67 thereby resetting the coinoperated mechanism.

The lever 131 has its rear end pivotally mounted at 133 on the framesideplate 24 and is integrally formed with a forwardly and downwardlyinclined front section 134. The bottom side 135 of the lever constitutesa cam surface having a rear horizontal cam section and a front inclinedsection that are ridable on a guide roller 136 rotatably supportedadjacent the rear end of the slideplate 118. The lever 132 is pivoted at137 intermediate its ends on the frame sideplate 24 for pivotal movementbetween guide members 138 and 139 secured to the sideplate 24. Thelevers 131 and 132 are yieldably interconnected by a spring and rodconnecter 141 for pivotal movement of the lever 132 in response to thepivotal movement of the lever 131, as effected by the travel of theslideplate roller 136 along the bottom side 135 of the lever 131.

The forward end portion 142 of the lever 132 is movable into engagementwith the trip finger 67. When the slideplate 118 is moved to the "outposition the lever 131 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed inFIG. 4, to move the yieldable connecter 141 in an upward direction. Thisupward movement of the connecter 141 pivots the lever 132 in acounterclockwise direction, as also viewed in FIG. 4, whereby theforward portion 142 of the lever 132 engages the trip finger 67 to resetthe coin operated mechanism 22.

The initial angular position of the coin information cam unit 64 priorto the insertion of a coin in the mechanism 22 is shown in FIG. 7wherein the pull rods 36 and 37 are locked in the "in" position by thelevers 71 and 72. The locking abutment 76 on the lever 71 engages theforward surface of the bar 47 restricting the movement thereof to theout" position. The second lever 72 engages the arm 103 through theprojection 89 to hold the angular tab 107 in the path of movement of theface 63 of the step in the rod 37. The lever 71 stops the outwardmovement of the bar 47 before the pawl 126 engages the rack 121 of theone way positive brake thereby allowing the springs 58 and 59 to movethe bar 47 back to the "in" position as shown in FIG. 4.

After a sufficient number of coins have been deposited in the coinoperated mechanism 22 equal to the monetary sum of the low pricedarticle, the coin information cam unit 64 is angularly moved to theposition shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. In this position the forward end of acam member 143 of the cam unit 64 lies adjacent the horizontal finger 80of the lever holding rod 79 and limits the downward movement of thelever 71. As shown in FIG. 4 the bar 47 when in the in" position engagesthe terminal face 75 of the finger 74 of the lever 71 so as to hold thelever in an up and inoperative position against the force of the spring78.

The bar 47 also engages the horizontal surface 93 of the second lever 72to hold this lever in an "up" and inoperative position. When the bar 47is in the in" position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the terminal portion ofthe leg 112 of the arm 109, as shown in FIG. 5, engages the bar 47 tohold the tab 107 (FIG. 2) in the outward path of movement of the step ofthe pull rod 37. When the bar 47 is moved toward the out position thelever 72 is moved down by the spring 94 until the bar 47 engages thesurface formed between the converging cam surfaces 76 and 77. When thelever 72 is in the lower position shown in FIG. 8, the projection 89 onthe arm 88 engages the arm 103 to hold the tab 107 in the path ofmovement of the step 63 of the rod 37. As a result the rod 37 is heldagainst movement to the out position whereby to prevent the vending of ahigh priced article.

On a continued movement of the bar 47 toward the out" position theforward edge of the bar 47 engages the cam surface 91 and moves theprojection 89 from the arm 103 by raising the lever 72. The bar 99 isrotated about its rear edge by the spring 117 (FIG. 6) to move the tab107 from the path of movement of the step face 63 of the rod 37. Thisoutward movement of the bar 47 is the result of the outward movement ofone of the pull rods 36. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3 when one of the rods36 or 37 is moved toward the "out" position the keys 6] lock theremaining rods in the in position. The keys 61, therefore, prevent theoutward movement of the rod 37 when a low priced article is beingvended.

When a high priced article is to be vended additional coins are insertedin the coin operated mechanism 22 to move the cam member 143 of the coininformation cam unit 64, to the angular position shown in FIG. 9. Inthis position the cam member 143 is adjacent the horizontal finger 80 ofthe rod 79 and the horizontal finger 98 of the rod 96. The outerperipheral surface 145 of the cam member 143 holds the rods 79 and 96and the first and second levers 71 and 72 in a raised position. When thelevers 71 and 72 are held in the raised position, the pull rod 37, whichis indicative of a high priced article, can be moved to the "outposition and returned to the in position to vend the high pricedarticle.

The OUt" position of the bar 47 is shown in FIG. 11. In this positionthe locking function of the linkage 21 has been completed, and the coinoperated mechanism 22 has been tripped to its reset position by theaction of the levers 131 and 132 on the trip finger 67. When theslideplate 118 is in the out position the rotatable pawl 126 is in therecess 129 and is movable against the spring 122 into a nonengagingposition relative to the teeth on the rack 121 to permit the slideplate118 to move back to the "in position. The tab 107 is held out ofengagement with the pull rod 37 by the force of the spring 117 acting onthe bar 99 (FIG. 6). The bar 47 engages the lower surface of the arm 109to control the angular position of the bar 99. Movement of the bar 47from the out" position to the "in position rotates the bar 99 about itsrear end edge thereby moving the locking tab 107 into the path ofmovement of the step 63 of the pull rod 37.

The above described vending machine 20 and the operation thereof is thesubject matter of the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,l 39,167.In such patent the coin information cam, which forms part of the coinoperated mechanism 22, is limited in its rotational movement and canonly provide for the dispensing of a high priced article having amaximum cost of 50cents and a low priced article having a minimum costof 30-cents The monetary difference between the high and low pricedarticles thus takes place only between a single price range of from30-cents to SO-cents.

In the present invention the coin information cam unit or credit wheel64 is rotatable through substantially 360 and is adjustable relative tothe finger portions 80 and 98 of the feeler rods 79 and 96,respectively, in the control linkage means 21 to provide for thedispensing ofa high priced article having a maximum cost of $1.50 and ofa low priced article having a minimum cost of 5-cents. Additionally, themonetary difference between the high and low priced articles may bevaried within any ZS-cent increment over the complete price range offrom 5-cents to $1.50.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14. the coin information cam unit 64 iscarried on a shaft 144 rotatably mounted on the coin operated mechanism22 for rotational movement in response to the monetary value of thecoins supplied to the mechanism 22. The cam unit 64 (FIGS. 14 and I5) iscomprised of a base wheel 146 having a hub I47 mounted on the shaft I44for rotation therewith. The peripheral portion of the outer fact of thewheel I46 is provided with peripherally spaced price indicating numerals148.

A cam member I49 of a generally dish shape having a central shahreceiving opening 151 is positioned about the shaft I44 so as to enclosethe base wheel 146. A series of outwardly extended circularly spacedteeth I52 on the outer face of the wheel are selectively engageable witha series of circularly spaced teeth 153 formed in the inner face of thecam member I49 to interlock the cam member for rotation with the basewheel I46. The cam member 149 and wheel 146 are held in this interlockedrelation by a sleeve washer I54 positioned about the end of the shaftI44 and clamped against the outer face of the cam member I49 by aclamping screw I56 threadably axially into the shaft 144.

On release of the screw 156 the teeth 153 on the cam member 149 areaxially movable out of engagement with the teeth I52 on the wheel I46 toprovide for the rotatable adjustment of the cam member relative to thewheel 146 to a rotated position corresponding to a selected pricesetting of the high and low priced articles as indicated by the numerals148. As shown in FIG. 17 the numerals I48 are numbered in sequence fromto $1.50 in S-cent increments through an arcuate window or opening I57formed in the cam member 149. The teeth 153 are spaced apart a distancecorresponding to the spacing of the numerals 148, so that the adjustmentof the cam member I49 by one tooth 153 relative to the wheel I46corresponds to a -cent change as indicated by the numerals 148.

The cam section I43 of the cam member I49 extends radi ally from the cammember I49. As shown in FIG. 7, the finger portions 80 and 98 of thelift rods 79 and 96, respectively, are selectively received within theslots 82, of the guide bracket 83 and are illustrated as six in number.The slots 82 are spaced apart from each other a distance correspondingto a 5-cent increment over a price range of 25cents. The arcuate lengthof the cam surface 145 on the cam section 143 is substantially equal tothe distance between the end ones of the slots 82 so as to be movableinto engagement with the finger portions 80 and 98 for any positionsthereof in the slots.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 12 the coin information cam unit 64 isrotatable adjacent the side panel I59 of the coin operated mechanism 22,free of any interference with the coin discharge chutes I61 (FIGS. 12and 13) of the mechanism 22. The trip reset finger 67 (FIGS. II and I2)is formed as a laterally outwardly extended terminal on a leg section162 ofa U-shape trip member I63, the other leg section 164 of which isconnected with the reset portion (not shown) of the coin operatedmechanism 22. The trip member I63 is pivotally supported on the sidepanel I59 by a pin I66 extended through the leg sections I62 and I64remote from their free ends.

The cam section 143 is thus movable between the pivoted leg sections 162and I64 which function to interconnect the trip finger 67 with the resetportion of the coin operated mechanism 22. Rotation of the cam member149 is thus permitted through an angular distance from its full lineposition shown in FIG. 14, to the dotted line position shown in the samefigure, providing for the vending ofa high pi priced article having amaximum cost of$l .50.

Rotation of the wheel I46 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed inFIG. I4, to its reset or home position shown in full lines in the samefigure, is defined by the engagement ofa stop lug I66 projected from theinner surface of the wheel I46, with a stop block 167 secured to theside panel I59 in the path of rotation of the lug I66. Rotation of thewheel I46 in a clockwise direction to a vending position is limited bythe engagement of the cam section 143, as shown in dotted lines in FIG.14, with a stop bracket 168 secured to and projected outwardly from theside panel I59. This vending position of the wheel 146 provides for thecam section 143 acting on the finger portions and 98 for any locationsthereof within the slots 82 without permitting the cam section to rotatebeyond a vending position relative to the finger portions.

As previously mentioned the arcuate length of the window I57 providesfor the viewing therethrough of the numerals 148 in increments of25-cents. The rotatable adjustment of the cam member 149 relative to thewheel I46 functions essentially to locate the cam surface I45 relativeto the finger portions 80 and 98, so that such surface remains out ofengagement with the finger portions until the coins inserted in the coinoperated mechanism 22 total an amount equal to S-cents less than thelowest number of the numerals that are viewable through the window 157.As a result the cam surface 145 engages the finger portions 80 and onlyover the price range which is visible through the window.

Thus, for example, and as shown in FIG. 14 the price range indicatedthrough the window 157 is from $1.25 to $1.50. In this price range it isdesired to vend a low priced article at a cost of SI .30 and a highpriced article having a cost of SI .35. With the wheel I46 in its resetposition shown in FIG. I4 the cam member 149 is adjusted relativethereto until the values $1.25 through $1.50 appear in the window I57.The finger portion 80 is positioned in the slot 82 corresponding to themarking "5 to set the $1.30 cost of the low priced article, namely,$l.25, the lowest value appearing in the window I57, plus the Scentsindicated by the slot marking Likewise the finger portion 98 is locatedin the slot having the marking 10" to set the SI .35 cost of the highpriced article, namely, $1.25 plus l0 cents.

In response to coins having monetary values of 5, l0, and 25-centsinserted within the coin operated mechanism 22 to a total amount of$1.25 the cam section I43 will be rotated progressively in acounterclockwise direction from its position shown in FIG. 11 to theposition in FIG. 7 wherein the leading end of the cam surface 145 is atthe slot indicated by a "0" marking. This slot corresponds in value tothe lowest numeral or the value appearing in the window 157. In otherwords if the finger portion 80 were in the "O" marking slot a low pricedarticle having a cost of$l .25 would be vended.

With the cam surface in the position of FIG. 7 it is moved intoengagement with the finger portion 80, to its position in FIG. 8, by theinsertion of an additional nickel in the coin operated mechanism 22,whereby to provide for the vending of a $1.30 low priced article in themanner as previously described in connection with FIGS. 4 and 8. If thevending of the $1.35 high priced article is wanted, a dime added to thecoin operated mechanism 22, would provide for the move ment of the camsurface from its position in FIG. 7 to its position in FIG. 9.

The above described adjustment of the coin information cam unit 64 andresultant vending of high and low priced arti cles would be the same forany selected 25-cent increment within the price range of the numerals148. it is to be understood that the selected 25-cent increment wouldalso be determinative of the maximum monetary differential between thehigh and low priced articles. Thus, if articles were to be vended at ahigh price of 75-cents and a low price of SS-cents the cam member 149would be adjusted relative to the wheel 146 so that the numbers from 50cents to 75-cents are visible in the window 157 as shown in FIG. 16. Thefinger portion 80 would then be located in slot marked 5" and the fingerportion 89 in the slot marked "25 (FIG. 10). For the vending of articleshaving a high price of 25-cents and a low price of 5- cents the cammember adjustment would be made so that the numerals through 25" wouldappear in the window 157. The finger portion 80 would then be located inslot marked and the finger portion 98 in the slot 82 marked 25 (FIG. Inthis case the cam surface 145 would, prior to the insertion of any coinsin the mechanism 22 have its leading end at the slot marked 0. Thus theinsertion of only a nickel in the mechanism 22 would provide for thevending of the low priced S-cent article and a quarter the high pricedarticle.

In the setting of the cam member 149 it will be noted that the lowestvalue appearing in the window corresponds to a location of the leadingend of the cam surface 158 at the slot 84 in FIG. 10 having the 0"marking, so that such slot provides a reference base for locating thefinger portions 80 and 98 to give a desired price differential betweenhigh and low priced articles.

It is seen, therefore, that the cam unit 64 is not only simple andcompact, but is readily and easily accessible within the vending machinefor quick adjustment relative to the finger portions 80 and 98 toprovide for the vending of high and low priced articles over a wideprice range and at a maximum monetary differential of ZS-cents. Theprice range may vary from S-cents to $1.50 and the articles to be vendedmay be sold within anyZS-cent increment within such range. This 25- centincrement is readily indicated through the window 157 during adjustmentof the cam member 149, and the price differential within such ZS-centincrement is set by the location of the finger portions 80 and 98 withinselected slots 82.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferredembodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be solimited since changes can be made therein which are within the fullintended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mechanical control system for a vending machine having a frame andhigh and low priced article vending members comprising:

a. coin operated means having a shaft rotatable in response to monetarycoins inserted therein to produce low and high priced information whichis a function of the angular position of the shaft;

b. first lever means including a lever holding rod, said first levermeans being operably connected to the article vending members toreleasably lock said members in a nonvending position in response toboth the low and high priced information;

c. first pivot means mounting the first lever means on a horizontal axisto the frame;

d. second lever means including a lever holding rod, said second levermeans being operably connected to the high priced vending member toreleasably lock said high priced member in response to said high pricedinformation;

e. second pivot means mounting the second lever means on a horizontalaxis to the frame;

f. a coin information cam unit including a first member fixed on saidshaft for rotation therewith. and a second member on said shaft having acam surface; g. means for ad usting said second member to a rotatedposition relative to said first member to vary the angular position ofthe second member relative to the first member;

h. coacting means on said first and second members for indicating apredetermined price range corresponding to the adjusted angular relationof said two members; and

i. means on said frame for adjustably positioning said lever holdingrods relative to the cam surface of said cam unit to hold said firstlever means in an inoperative position in response to said low pricedinformation and said first and second lever means in inoperativepositions in response to the high priced information, and to vary thevalues of the low and high priced information within the limits of saidpredetermined price rangev 2. The control system for a vending machineaccording to claim 1 wherein:

a. said coacting means comprises price indicia circularly arranged onone side of said first member, with said second member having anarcuately extended opening therein movable over said indicia so that theindicia appearing in said opening define said predetermined price range;and

b. said indicia being arranged in successive equal S-cent increments andsaid opening being of an arcuate length to visibly show only five ofsaid increments.

3. A mechanical control system for a vending machine having a frame,high and low priced article vending members movable between an inposition and an out" position. and a bar engageahle with said vendingmembers, said bar being slidably mounted on the frame for movement withsaid members comprising:

a. coin operated means having a shaft rotatable in response to monetarycoins inserted therein to produce low and high priced information whichis a function of the angular position of said shaft;

b. a first lever means pivotally mounted on the frame and engageablewith said bar to lock said bar in the in" position thereby holding saidvending members in the "in position, said first lever means being heldout of locking engagement with the bar in response to both the low andhigh priced information;

c. lock means pivotally mounted on the frame and operably associatedwith the high priced article vending members for releasably locking saidmembers in the in position;

d. second lever means pivotally mounted on the frame and engageable withsaid lock means to hold said lock means in the lock position and torelease said lock means in response to said high priced information;

e. a coin information cam unit including a first member fixed on saidshaft, and a second member on said shaft having a cam surface;

. means adjustably supporting said second member on said shaft forrotation of said cam surface to an adjusted angu lar position relativeto said first member;

g. coacting means on said first and second members for in dicating anangular relation therebetween corresponding to a predetermined pricerange; and

h. means on said frame for adjustably interconnecting the first andsecond lever means relative to the cam surface on said coin informationcam unit so that the low and high priced information can be variedwithin said predetermined price range.

